Studies on the activity ofKluyveromyces lactis S-adenosylmethionine: ? 24-sterol methyltransferase in presence of polyenic antifungal agents

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Abstract
The S-adenosylmethionine: Δ 24-sterol methyltransferase (24 SMT) primarily considered as a mitochondrial enzyme, was recently mainly detected in lipid particles of yeasts. It catalyses the methylation of zymosterol which is an essential reaction for the synthesis of ergosterol. We have investigated in cellular extracts of twoKluyveromyces lactis strains the action of polyenic antifungal agents on the activity of this enzyme. Low concentrations of amphotericin B, candicidin and pimaricin strongly stimulate this activity, while high concentrations inhibit it or have no effect. Whatever the doses used, nystatin and filipin had no significant influence on this activity. According to the molar ratio amphotericin B/total sterols of the enzyme preparation, the interference of amphotericin B on the 24 SMT activity may result of two mechanisms.